Just about the only thing missing from SLF’s second annual Fourth of July Rooftop Bash was a view of the fireworks over the Hudson River (those pesky downtown Manhattan office buildings got in the way). But maybe that’s just another way to tell that this party was so off the hook that hardly anyone noticed- or cared.

Yes, for the second year in a row we threw a rooftop party so happening the only way it could end was by the boys in blue showing up to clear off the picturesque Brooklyn Heights rooftop late into the night. But that couldn’t put a damper on the evening either. With a gorgeous view of the sunset over Manhattan, SLF’s own DJ Trainwreck got things off to a rollicking start as people arrived with a set of rare grooves from all over the world (if I do say so myself!). The night progressed and the roof filled with the kind of diverse crowd that makes Planet Brooklyn the center of the universe- DJ ‘Lil Tiger kicked things into a higher gear with a set of raw funk and soul, our friend DJ Fndomntl rocked the decks with more funk, doped hip hop remixes and the People’s Champs rocked the roof with a live set of acoustic soul and funkified afrobeat. The drinks were flowing, the folks were mingling, the hot dogs were grilling….and our own legendary DJ Q-Mastah spun a set of old school reggae that would have torn the roof off if we weren’t all standing on it, airing a rare exclusive ‘Murderer’ dubplate for the coup de grace. The second People’s Champs set was probably what prompted New York’s finest to call it a night for us, but by then we were all grinning from ear to ear anyway and didn’t mind. Some of us scattered to bars on Atlantic for nightcaps, relishing a gathering that went better than we ever could have hoped.

Our next big bash will be on the Coney Island boardwalk in August, we’re working on a killer event so stay tuned….till then, see you at Moe’s every Wednesday for SoundLib, and Rose Live Music every last Saturday of the month for the Afro-Dub Sessions!

As everyone should be aware, a tragedy of unthinkable scale happened last week in Haiti. Considering that New York City has the largest concentration of Haitians in the United States, it was easy to feel the impact of these these events here in New York. Last weekend was also Martin Luther King weekend and this year, the traditional king day of service – day of citizen action volunteer service in honor of Dr. King – had a different meaning with community organizations, non profits groups and volunteers mobilizing with the relief effort.

The music world also did contribute to the cause with many popular artists using their star power to raise awareness of the tragedy and encourage action. Wyclef Jean, probably the most famous Haitian American, raised millions of dollars through his Yele organization with a clever text message campaign. In France, dozens of French rappers and pop stars joined renowned singers Charles Aznavour and Youssou N’Dour to record a music video which will be widely broadcasted on national television.

On the local grassroots level, it was great to see many improvised benefit shows and parties pop up in New York. Since here at SLF, we’re all about partying for a good cause, we attended Giant Step’s 6th Annual MLK tribute party which was a benefit event for Doctors Without Borders in regards to Haiti. For the occasion, seminal NYC party veterans Rich Medina and DJ Spinna delivered the goods to a packed audience at the ever trendy club Cielo. With a groovy blend of soul, funk, classics and house, the duo did not fail to turn the event into an entrancing dance party and get everyone in a collective mood of celebration.

Overall, it was a fun party with a positive message and it reminded me of this spirit of solidarity and community which I think is partly what makes this city truly great.

SOUNDLIB is back! Sound Liberation Front is hosting another night of great music, soulful vibes and good times in Brooklyn at Fort Greene’s legendary Moe’s Bar. Come by for eclectic, soulful selections from the Music Nerd All-Stars that span the depths of soul (new and old), Hip-Hop, afrobeat, house, reggae and much more.

We won’t keep you out too late either: 9pm-1am. Perfect for unwinding after work, having a few beverages and listening to some good music with friends. …

==========

[[ SOUNDLIB ]]

presented by Sound Liberation Front + buhbOmp + The BRMG + Rappers I Know

WEDNESDAY | 13 JAN 2009

@ Moe’s
80 Lafayette Ave
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
718.797.9536

C to Lafayette Ave / G to Fulton St
Also within walking distance from the Atlantic Ave station (B-Q-2-3-4-5 trains)

featuring:

MUSIC NERD ALL-STARS: [[ DJ LIL TIGER + Q-MASTAH ]] :: NYC
( Sound Liberation Front, –=(] buhbOmp [)=–, touch&feel:radio, Soular Grooves )

9p-1a | FREE | No dress code

+ facebook event page
+ going.com event page
+ eventful event page

map:
+ google
+ hopstop

In the spirit of our SLF/MNC Spring Loft Party and our Music Nerd Club Fourth of July Rooftop Party from earlier this year, we’re hosting a new party called SoundLib featuring your favorite selectors, SLF‘s own Music Nerd All-Stars (aka DJ Lil Tiger and Q Mastah).

We’ll be bringing good folks together for some drinks and quality music at the legendary Moe’s Bar on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17. More info forthcoming. For now, peep the info below and spread the word.

==========

[[ SOUNDLIB ]]

presented by Sound Liberation Front + buhbOmp + The BRMG

THURSDAY | 17 DEC 2009

@ Moe’s
80 Lafayette Ave
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
718.797.9536

C to Lafayette Ave / G to Fulton St
Also within walking distance from the Atlantic Ave station (B-Q-2-3-4-5 trains)

featuring:

MUSIC NERD ALL-STARS: [[ DJ LIL TIGER + Q-MASTAH ]] :: NYC
( Sound Liberation Front, –=(] buhbOmp [)=–, touch&feel:radio, Soular Grooves )

8p-1a | FREE | No dress code

+ facebook event page

map:
+ google
+ hopstop

As I am writing this post over thanksgiving, I realize that we should be thankful for all the artists, musicians and individuals who helped shape our musical culture and affected many of us in a personal way. With the passing of Alton Ellis and Michael Jackson just to name a few, this year has been especially tough  and it reminds us why we should appreciate those who remain as living legacies of musical eras which must not be forgotten. Last Friday, I was fortunate to attend a dancehall party in Brooklyn called “Dance Gets Nice Again”.  The dance featured legendary selector Jah Wise from Tippatone Hifi, one of the most important sound system of the early reggae era. Held in a small venue called the Culture Barn – essentially someone’s garage – the party had an intimate feel with an eclectic audience of old timers alongside hip kids vibing to the sound of pure foundation reggae music.

The late 60′s were undoubtedly one of the most prolific period in modern Jamaican history. The blooming of the local recording industry and a string of international successes in the charts set the stage for Reggae to become a bonafide world class music. During this transition period, sound systems were naturally at the center of the action. As the dominance of the previous decade’s two giants – Coxsone’s Downbeat and Duke Reid’s Trojan – started to fade, a new generation of sound systems arose and  competed fiercely for the island’s sonic supremacy. Among these, Lord Tippatone Hifi emerged as one of the top two sounds, rivaled only by King Tubby’s Hometown Hifi. With Jah Wise at the control and Big Youth on the mic, Tippatone ruled the dances from its home turf of  Spanish Town to the island’s countryside where the sound would regularly travel.

Well into his fifties and with a deep musical knowledge that emanates from his enigmatic personna, Jah wise is the quintessential sound system man.  His record collection is legendary and he allegedly owns the world’s two most exclusive specials:  Bob Marley’s only known recorded dubplates in praise to  a sound system. Jah Wise first joined the Tippatone crew as the “boxboy” – the kid transporting speakers and equipment – before quickly becoming the sound’s top selector and eventually its ambassador. Besides his musical career, Jah Wise is also a renowned artist whose artwork  can be seen gracing many landmarks including the facade of  Lee Perry’s infamous Black Ark studio. He also appears painting Horsemouth’s motorbike in the 1978 feature film “Rockers”.

That night,  I had the opportunity to meet an individual  who has had a profound influence on an entire musical culture.  It was a humbling experience and this is what I’m thankful for this year.

If you recently had a similar experience worth to be thankful for, please share in the comment section.

From the positive responses and media coverage we’ve been getting , it looks like the event will be well attended. Since the space is limited, we’re advising to people to get there on the early side. If you have kids or know people who have kids, we really encourage you to bring them during the family jam in the afternoon. Check the map below and the  family jam page for detailed schedule of activities.

Needless to say, we’re very excited about this project and are very proud to be presenting our debut as a non profit organization.

The SLF Crew

Click Here for Map

]]> http://soundliberation.org/2009/08/down-to-the-wires/feed/ 0 http://soundliberation.org/2009/07/sound-liberation-festival-2009-lineup-announced/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sound-liberation-festival-2009-lineup-announced http://soundliberation.org/2009/07/sound-liberation-festival-2009-lineup-announced/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:42:04 +0000 Sound Liberation Front http://soundliberation.org/?p=93

Saturday August 15^th 2009

Littlefield , 622 DeGraw Street, Brooklyn, NY

2pm – 7pm / 7pm – 2am

Sound Liberation Front announces the first annual Sound Liberation Front Festival at Littlefield Performance and…

Saturday August 15^th 2009

Littlefield , 622 DeGraw Street, Brooklyn, NY

2pm – 7pm / 7pm – 2am

Sound Liberation Front announces the first annual Sound Liberation Front Festival at Littlefield Performance and Art Space in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood.

An all-day, two-part event, the SLF Festival will feature music and art workshops for kids and their parents in the afternoon and a full-on music and dance party for grown-up kids in the evening. The party will also feature artwork created live during the music performance, projected on the walls, and integrated into the dancefloor space.

Headlining the all-day festival of music and art is Brand Nubian, giants of NYC hip hop’s early-90s Rennaissance and famous for such hits as “Slow Down,” “Wake Up,” and “All For One.” Original members Grand Puba, Lord Jamar, and Sadat X will all be performing together.

Sound Liberation Front Party’s performers will also include:

• Chico Mann, brainchild of Marcos “Marquitos” Garcia, guitarist for Antibalas. Chico Mann will bring their “electro-afrofunk” sound to Littlefield.
• DJ Kenny Parker, producer and DJ for legendary rap group Boogie Down Productions
• Cosmo Baker, renowned DJ and platter-spinner at NYC’s premiere parties Bang! and the Rub
• Ian Friday of NYC’s Tea Party Music and Libation parties
• Sound Liberation Front All-Stars Lil Tiger and Q Mastah
• Artist Shelton Walker projecting her work “Apraxis” onto the performance space’s walls and creating a live artwork on the dancefloor during Brand Nubian’s set

Sound Liberation Front Family Jam will begin at 2pm and will include events tailored to the festival’s younger fans:

• Dance workshop with Afro Mosaic Soul in their signature Mosaic Soul dancing style
• DJ workshop by DubSpot, one of the world’s top DJing and production schools
• Additional art workshops and kids’ activities to be announced

Food and refreshments will be available at the venue and there will also be additional food vendors on site.

]]>

Headlining the Festival is NYC hip hop legend Brand Nubian. Additional acts will include “electro-afrofunk” collective Chico Mann, dub innovator Ticklah , and DJs Kenny Parker (Boogie Down Productions), Cosmo Baker (Bang! the Rub), and Ian Baker (Tea Party Music, Libation).

For more details, check the sites regularly as we’ll be posting updates over the next few days with complete lineup, schedule and artist bios.